Tested and Trapped

There had been a chance that I was going to preach this message this past weekend or this weekend. That didn't work out, but at the same time the preparation was good (for me). I got a lot out of this passage and I look forward to hearing from Pastor Jim this weekend when he shares from this passage. I thought I would share some of my notes with any bloggers who care to view some of my thoughts.

Read Genesis 39

When I read this story I discover that Joseph had a remarkable experience as a slave. On a positive note we discover the following:

The Lord was with him
The Lord gave him success
Joseph found favor
Joseph was promoted
The Lord blessed the household
The blessing of the Lord was on everything…

From this I learn that the Lord’s blessing does not depend on outward circumstances. I can be blessed and experience His favor even in the most unjust or difficult situations. I can be a blessing even when I want out of a situation. In fact, God may in fact want to bless those around us who are responsible for the hardships we experience. In spite of the favor of the Lord, Joseph's trials get worse.

First, Potiphar's wife comes after him. We don't know how strong of a temptation this was for Joseph, but we do know that she was being as seductive as she could be. When you look at your life, what are the seductive influences that you can identify? Financial management issues? The temptation to be a people pleaser? Misdirected emotional hunger? Destructive gossip? In our culture today we KNOW that temptation is an issue, but we rarely talk about it as a reality until someone "has a moral failure". Why is that?

Temptations knock on our door just as it did with Joseph.
What kept Joseph from giving in?
Joseph understood the source of the blessing of his life. View of God.
Joseph understood the nature of sin (that it is against God)
Joseph had a correct view of people (one of respect). View of people (Potiphar and Potiphar’s wife)
Joseph honored God
Joseph kept far from temptation (he refused to even be with her)

From this we learn that sin is tempting when we lose perspective. It grows strong when we misdirect healthy passions in unhealthy directions. Someone has said that sin is when we seek to fulfill legitimate desires through illegitimate means.

At the same time we must learn to "flee" temptation.
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Learn to say “no”!
Understanding the nature of sin.
James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Galatians 6:8 “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Where are the men and women of integrity, character and purity in our society? Where are those who will humbly pursue holiness and stand up with integrity in the midst of an immoral and permissive world?
We are not immune to temptation and even if we overcome temptation there is the threat of accusation.
If you do things right will things turn out right for you? If you resist temptation and do all the right things? Not necessarily…But you will reap LIFE!
This story is not just about resisting temptation. It is an example of the fact that we can do all the right things and still wind up in jail.
Things don’t always work out in our favor.
The key is to experience God’s favor even when things don’t work out in our favor.

The key to success for Joseph was the fact that the Lord was with Him. Joseph’s latest promotion: goes from being a slave to becoming a prisoner. But, even as a prisoner:
The Lord was with him
The Lord showed him kindness
The Lord granted him favor
The Lord gave him success

Are we all imprisoned in some ways?
Ever want to escape?
Let's learn to discover the blessing in the middle of our traps and moments of powerlessness.

Don’t let cynicism get the best of you! Cultivate an unwavering optimism through God.